Self Sealing Bag In Box Cap Assembly

ABSTRACT

A cap assembly comprising a body, a sealing membrane and a retaining ring. An opening is provided through the body and includes a recessed circumferential channel and a membrane engaging flange positioned proximate the recessed circumferential channel. The sealing membrane covers the opening and includes a body engaging flange and a pierceable surface. The retaining ring is positioned with the sealing membrane engagement surface in overlying engagement with the sealing membrane. Extension of the tab into the recessed circumferential channel of the body releasably maintains the overlying engagement and biases the retaining ring against the membrane. The inner wall structure of the retaining ring extends radially inward beyond the membrane engaging flange of the sealing membrane, to, in turn, protect the membrane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/797,567 filed Jul. 13, 2015, entitled “Self Sealing Bag In Box CapAssembly” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/902,925 filed May 27, 2013, entitled “Self Sealing Bag In Box CapAssembly” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/589,368 filed Oct. 22, 2009, entitled “Self Sealing Bag in Box CapAssembly,” which claims priority from U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No.61/196,969, filed Oct. 22, 2008, entitled “Self Sealing Bag in Box CapAssembly”, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates in general to a cap assembly, and moreparticularly, to a self sealing bag in box cap assembly. Such a capassembly is used in association with the dispensing of flowable materialfrom a bag.

2. Background Art

Self sealing bags have become increasingly useful, especially in thefood packaging industry. One current system utilizes a flexible baghaving a spout to which a Sentry cap available from Scholle Corporationis affixed. A separate hose is provided which has at a first end a probeand at a second end a connector available from Erie Plastics with aflexible membrane. One such membrane is available from LMS of Illinois.The probe is inserted into the opening of the Sentry cap and the otherend is affixed to a distribution hose so that flowable material can bewithdrawn from the flexible bag through the Sentry Cap and to thedistribution hose. One such system is shown in FIG. 1 referred togenerally as 100. Several different embodiments of such a cap are shownin U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,220 issued to Verespej et al and assigned toScholle Corporation and U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,277 issued to Verespej et aland assigned to Scholle Corporation. Both of these patents areincorporated by reference herein, in their entirety.

Among other drawbacks, such a system requires many separate componentswhich increase the cost of use of such a system. Additionally, with sucha system, many connections are utilized, each of which is susceptible tofailure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved selfsealing bag in box system with an improved cap assembly.

These objects as well as other objects of the present invention willbecome apparent in light of the present specification, claims, anddrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is directed to a cap assembly wherein the cap assemblycomprises a body, a sealing membrane and a retaining ring. The bodyincludes a top surface, a bottom surface. A spout engagement channel ispositioned on the bottom surface. An opening is provided through thebody and includes a recessed circumferential channel and a membraneengaging flange positioned proximate the recessed circumferentialchannel.

The sealing membrane covers the opening and includes a body engagingflange and a pierceable surface. The sealing membrane is positioned uponthe membrane engaging flange so that the body engaging flange and themembrane engaging flange are in overlying engagement.

The retaining ring includes a tab, a sealing membrane engagement surfaceand an inner wall structure opposite the sealing membrane engagementsurface. The retaining ring is positioned with the sealing membraneengagement surface in overlying engagement with the sealing membrane.Extension of the tab into the recessed circumferential channel of thebody releasably maintains said overlying engagement and biases theretaining ring against the membrane. The inner wall structure of theretaining ring extends radially inward beyond the membrane engagingflange of the sealing membrane, to in turn, protect the membrane.

In a preferred embodiment, the cap assembly further includes a cap whichis removably coupled to the body. The cap is configured to precludeaccess to the opening and the sealing membrane when the cap assembly isin operable engagement with a bag.

In another preferred embodiment, the inner wall structure of theretaining ring includes an inwardly sloped surface.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the inwardly sloped surface isinclined at an acute angle.

Preferably, the recessed circumferential groove is spaced apart from atop surface of the cap.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening further includes an upperinwardly sloping wall portion positioned above the recessedcircumferential channel. In certain embodiments, a lower inwardlysloping wall portion can be positioned below the membrane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a prior art system;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a system of dispensing utilizing the selfsealing bag in box cap assembly;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a perspective cross-sectional view of the selfsealing bag in box cap assembly; and

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a partial perspective cross-sectional view ofthe self sealing bag in box cap assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail aspecific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to belimited to the embodiment illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and someof the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposesof pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to FIG. 2, containerassembly 10 includes container body 12, spout 14 and cap assembly 16.Container body 12 comprises a plurality of panels and a plurality ofseals. The panels and seals cooperate to define cavity 26. Of course,the invention is not limited to any particular number of panels and/orseals, or, a container body having any particular geometricconfiguration. For example, the container body may comprise apillow-type container, or may comprise a gusseted container, amongothers.

An exemplary spout 14 is shown in FIG. 2 as comprising a body, baseflange, and grasping flanges. The base flange extends from the body. Thebase flange is larger than the opening on the bag, such that the panelsurrounding the opening is welded to the base flange, providing asubstantially fluid tight connection. The grasping flanges comprise anumber of flanges which are configured for grasping and retaining of thefitment by filling equipment, and for retention by other containers inwhich the container assembly is positioned (i.e., retention of a box ofa bag in box container assembly). The fitment may comprise a HDPEmaterial, or a polypropylene material, among others.

An exemplary cap assembly 16 is shown in each of FIGS. 3 and/or 4 ascomprising base 40, sealing membrane 42, retaining ring 44 and cap/seal46. The body 40 includes top surface 50, bottom surface 52 and opening54. Generally, the body and the cap may be integrally molded (much likethe Sentry product sold by Scholle Corporation). The sealing membraneand the retaining ring comprise separate elements which are coupled tothe base. In certain embodiments, the cap may be omitted, and a membraneseal (formed from a foil or a polymer film) can be sealingly engagedwith the top surface 50 of the body. This membrane is frangible andpierced prior to or simultaneous with insertion of a drain or probe intothe opening 54 of the cap assembly.

The top surface includes circumferential cap sealing flange 56. Thecircumferential cap sealing flange 56 is typically employed when cap 46is utilized. The cap 46 includes a similar sealing flange 56′ whichtogether with the cap sealing flange 56 provides a hermetic seal whenengaged. In embodiments wherein a membrane seal is utilized, the sealingflange 56 can be omitted, and the membrane seal can be sealed againstthe circumferential sealing surface 57 which is outboard of the locationof the cap sealing flange.

The bottom surface 52 of the body 40 further includes spout engagementchannel 58 which is configured to engage and retain a spout, such asspout 14 of the container 10. Generally, the seal is hermetic andresults from the elastic deformation of each of the spout and thechannel 58. The channel 58 is defined by inner circumferential flange 60and outer circumferential flange 62 which are concentrically positionedwith respect to the opening and with respect to each other. It will beunderstood that in many embodiments, the inner circumferential flange 60forms the outer wall of the opening 54. In other embodiments, the outerwall of the opening may comprise a separate structure that is spacedapart from (but preferably concentric with) the circumferential flanges60, 62.

Opening 54 is shown in FIGS. 3 and/or 4 as comprising inner surface 64and membrane engaging flange 66 positioned at the lower end thereof. Theinner surface 64 includes a recessed circumferential channel 67, a basechannel 68 and a membrane engaging surface between the recessedcircumferential channel 67 and the base channel 68. In the embodimentshown, the membrane engaging flange 66 is angled so that the surface ofthe flange is at an acute angle with the membrane engagement surface 69.Of course, this is exemplary and not to be deemed limiting.Additionally, an inwardly sloping guide wall portion 63 may becircumferentially disposed above the recessed circumferential channel soas to direct a probe inwardly toward the membrane above the position ofthe retaining ring when the retaining ring is in its operable position.Similarly, an upper inwardly sloping lower guide wall portion 65 directsthe membrane, and in turn, the probe toward the center of the opening.It has been found that such a portion 65 greatly limits damage to themembrane caused by the probe entering in a less than ideal location.

The sealing membrane 42 is shown in FIGS. 3 and/or 4 as comprising bodyengagement flange 70, side wall 72 and pierceable surface 74. The bodyengagement flange 70 comprises a substantially triangularcross-sectional configuration having an outer surface 75, a base surface76 and a ring surface 77. The side wall 72 emanates from a regionproximate the intersection of the base surface 76 and the ring surface77 and extends in a downward direction away from the top surface 50 ofthe body 40. The pierceable surface 74 extends across the opening so asto substantially mimic the size thereof. The pierceable surface issubstantially perpendicular to the side walls and serves to provideselective egress through the opening 54 of the body 40.

In the embodiment shown, the pierceable surface comprises a siliconematerial which is flexible and which includes a predetermined number ofslits extending therethrough. The slits are configured such that when aprobe or tube is extended through the opening, and through thepierceable surface, the engagement surfaces of the slits sealinglyengage against the outside of the probe or tube. Once removed, the slitsre-engage each other to form a seal and to preclude passage of fluidthrough the opening. In certain embodiments, the pierceable surface maycomprise a plurality of specifically positioned and configured slitsthat interact with each other. In other embodiments, the slits comprisea plurality of partially cut slits that are then torn or “completed”upon insertion of a probe or tube the first time (i.e., scored slits, orpartially formed slits).

Retaining ring 44 comprises a hoop-like structure which has bodyengaging tab 80, sealing membrane engagement surface 82 and inner wallstructure 84. The tab 80 is shown as comprising a projection extendingoutwardly about the outside perimeter of the retaining ring.

The tab 80 is configured to be insertable and restrainable within therecessed channel 67. With the tab inserted within the channel 67, thebody engagement flange 70 of the sealing membrane 42 becomes compressedso as to form a fluid-tight seal between the base surface 76 of thesealing membrane 42 and the membrane engagement flange 66 of opening 54.In particular, the ring presses against the membrane so that its basesurface presses against the membrane engaging flange and the ringsurface 77 engages the seal membrane engagement surface 82. The naturalresilience of the sealing membrane allows for the sealed engagementagainst the ring and the body. Typically, the seal membrane engagementsurface includes a surface area which engages a similarly configuredsurface area on the membrane itself. The surface area of engagement issuch that a significant seal can be created therebetween.

The inner wall structure 84 is configured to preclude damage to themembrane proximate the engagement of the membrane with the membraneengagement flange 66. Typically, the bags associated with the presentcap assembly, when full, may have a weight of, for example 25 pounds orthe like. As such, when dropped onto a probe-type dispenser that isdesigned to extend through the membrane, damage to the membrane is ofheightened concern. It has been found that the potential for damage tothe membrane is greatly reduced with the presently configured inner wallstructure 84. The inner wall structure 84 includes a inwardly slopingprotective flange 86 that extends over a portion of the membrane andextends radially inwardly beyond the inward projection of the membraneengagement flange 66.

In such a configuration, a downwardly projecting probe may hit the innerwall structure 84 which will direct the probe inwardly toward themembrane. As the probe is directed to the membrane, the engagement ofthe probe with the membrane occurs at a point that is spaced apart fromthe membrane engagement flange 66 and thus, an additional measure ofgive is observed. The inwardly sloping angle is configured to slopeinwardly at an acute angle of approximately 20° to 50°, however, theinvention is not limited thereto.

As set forth in FIG. 2, the cap is attached to the spout. Tube 102 isextended through the opening 54. Unlike that which is shown in FIG. 1,the sealing membrane is combined with the body.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap assembly comprising: a body having a topsurface and a bottom surface, a spout engagement channel on the bottomsurface thereof and an opening extending therethrough, the openingincluding a recessed circumferential channel and a membrane engagingflange positioned proximate the recessed circumferential channel; asealing membrane covering the opening and including a body engagingflange and a pierceable surface, the sealing membrane positioned uponthe membrane engaging flange so that the body engaging flange and themembrane engaging flange are in overlying engagement; and a retainingring including a tab, a sealing membrane engagement surface and an innerwall structure opposite the sealing membrane engagement surface, theretaining ring positioned with the sealing membrane engagement surfacein overlying engagement with the sealing membrane, whereupon extensionof the tab into the recessed circumferential channel of the bodyreleasably maintains said overlying engagement and biases the retainingring against the membrane, and wherein the inner wall structure of theretaining ring extends radially inward beyond the membrane engagingflange of the sealing membrane.
 2. The cap assembly of claim 1 furtherincluding a cap which is removably coupled to the body, the capprecluding access to the opening and the sealing membrane when the capassembly is in operable engagement with a bag.
 3. The cap assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the inner wall structure of the retaining ring includesan inwardly sloped surface.
 4. The cap assembly of claim 3 wherein theinwardly sloped surface is inclined at an acute angle.
 5. The capassembly of claim 1 wherein the recessed circumferential groove isspaced apart from a top surface of the cap.
 6. The cap assembly of claim1 wherein the opening further includes an upper inwardly sloping wallportion positioned above the recessed circumferential channel.
 7. Thecap assembly of claim 6 wherein the opening further includes a lowerinwardly sloping wall portion positioned below the membrane.